Unless you count Leprecon (and let’s be honest, who does?), next weekend will mark Hoboken’s biggest local celebration since before Hurricane Sandy, when hundreds of music enthusiasts, art connoisseurs, and kids come to Washington Street for the city’s annual Music and Arts Festival.

The festival will take place Sunday, May 5, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Washington Street.

With over 30 musical artists playing on three stages and countless artisans showcasing their work, the festival will be a bit larger than usual, stretching all the way up to Seventh Street. The musical selections are diverse, ranging from rockabilly folk to world music.

Some of the artists include alternative indie rocker Mike Doughty, indie rock locals Karyn Kuhl and Bern & the Brights, jazz, swing and blues rockers Swingadelic, the Tex-Mex guitarist Gene D Plumber, and alternative Cuban-American band called Del Exilio. Danny Matos y Son Candela Salsa Band will also bring a Latin vibe to the festival, while Taiko Zoku, a Japanese drum troupe, will throw visitors for a ride around the world.

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“We are always excited about the assortment of artists and crafters who participate as well as local businesses.” – Geri Fallo

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“We are always excited about the assortment of artists and crafters who participate as well as local businesses,” said Fallo.

Bring the kids

And while the music and fine arts are geared primarily towards adults, the festival is certainly child friendly. Children’s activities on Third Street with rides, games, creative activities, face painting, sand art, balloons, and live performances.

Fine artists will primarily be located between Second and Third streets, First and Newark streets, and Newark between Washington and Court Street. Additionally, artists from the Monroe Center will be located on Washington Street between Fifth and Sixth Street. Oil paintings, watercolors, acrylics, sculpture, mixed media by artists such as Ocean Clark, Ricardo Roig, Jason Gluskin, and Sheri Small will be on sale.

“There are lots of new businesses in town this year,” said Fallo. “The festival offers a great opportunity for these new businesses to promote themselves to the community.”

Finally, Fallo and the festival’s other organizers went all-out on the food choices this year.

“There is a lot more food than usual,” said Fallo.

Delectable choices will include sausage and peppers, cheese steak, zeppoles, fried Oreos, shrimp on a stick, crab cakes, pulled pork, and Indian and Thai specialties. Additionally, some new food items have been added this year, including southern style catfish, hush puppies, French crepes, falafel and hummus, cheese curd, and sliders.

Currently, Fallo is looking for volunteers to help set up vendor booths in the morning, from 7:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. Anyone interested should contact the Cultural Affairs Office at (201) 420-2207 or email gfallo@hobokennj.org

The festival is sponsored primarily by a grant from the New Jersey Department of State, with local support from United Water, Walgreens, Capital One Bank, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, and The Hudson Reporter.

A full scheduled and lineup for the musical acts is not yet available. For updates, visit: www.hobokennj.org/departments/human-services/cultural-affairs/arts-music-festival

SIDEBAR #1

City to host Dylan, Wilco, and My Morning Jacket on pier

Eat your hearts out, other New Jersey towns. Hoboken is going to have three high-profile names in one concert this summer outside on the piers facing the New York skyline - Bob Dylan, Wilco, and My Morning Jacket.

The three will perform at Hoboken’s Pier A Park on Friday, July 26, 2013 as part of the AmericanaramA Festival of Music tour.

“After last year’s Mumford & Sons concert on Pier A, we received countless requests from our community for more similar events,” said Mayor Dawn Zimmer. “We’re excited to bring world-renowned talent to Hoboken to provide great entertainment options for our community in our own back yard and to support our local businesses.”

Additional details, including ticket information, will be announced shortly.

The show is being organized by Bowery Presents, the same promoters that brought Mumford & Sons to Hoboken last year to kick off the tour for their latest album, which won the Grammy for Album of the Year.

Arts and Music Festival full schedule released

Observer Highway Stage

12 p.m. – Bern & the Brights

12 p.m. – Karyn Kuhl

1:45 p.m. – Swingadelic

3:00 p.m. – John Eddie

4:30 p.m. – Mike Doughty

Third Street Stage (Children’s area)

12:00 p.m. – Preschool of Rock

12:50 p.m. – Ron Albanese “Polka Dot & the Polka Dot Pals”

1:40 p.m. – Hudson Dance & Movement

2:00 p.m. – Ron Albanese “Polka Dot & the Polka Dot Pals”

3:00 p.m. – Preschool of Rock

4:00 p.m. – Garden St. School Band

5:00 p.m. – Little Club Heads

Sixth Street Stage

12:30 p.m. – Hoboken Hip Hop from All Saints Episcopal Day School led by Jenn Eisenberg